While many NFL careers are defined by Super Bowl championships, numerous exceptional players remain in pursuit of their first Lombardi Trophy. Among these standout athletes are quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen, who, despite their remarkable talents, have yet to participate in the Super Bowl. This ongoing Lamar Jackson Super Bowl drought marks a significant storyline in the league as these athletes continue their quests for championship glory.
Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson have all demonstrated tremendous ability, but only Burrow has reached the Super Bowl, falling short in 2021 when the Cincinnati Bengals lost to the Los Angeles Rams. Conversely, Allen and Jackson’s careers, though marked by individual accolades—including multiple MVP awards for Jackson—have not yet featured an appearance on football’s grandest stage.
Criteria for Recognizing Top Players Without a Super Bowl Victory
The designation of the greatest NFL players without a Super Bowl ring is limited to those who played entirely within the Super Bowl era. This excludes legendary figures such as Gale Sayers and Dick Butkus, whose careers mostly preceded the Super Bowl’s inception. Both Jackson and Allen have earned positions among the top 30 greatest players who have not captured a Super Bowl, with Allen’s inclusion notably following his MVP campaign last year.
Notable Players on the List: From Rising Stars to Established Veterans
Josh Allen’s Buffalo Bills came close to the Super Bowl last season, reaching the AFC championship game before falling to the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite a resilient comeback in the fourth quarter, Buffalo surrendered the lead late and was unable to recover on the final drive. Philip Rivers, known for his grit, notably played through a torn ACL in the 2007 AFC title game against the then-undefeated New England Patriots. The Chargers lost that contest but Rivers showcased significant determination.
Brian Urlacher, a defensive stalwart for the Chicago Bears, led his team to Super Bowl XLI; however, the Bears’ offense’s five turnovers contributed to a 29-17 loss. Cris Carter’s 1998 Vikings dominated the regular season but suffered a shocking overtime defeat to the Falcons in the NFC championship despite holding a 20-7 lead late in the game. Eric Dickerson came within reach of a Super Bowl after setting a playoff rushing record in Los Angeles’ divisional round win but was overwhelmed by the formidable 1985 Bears in the NFC championship.
Jack Youngblood’s legendary toughness was on display in Super Bowl XIV when he played with a broken leg, nearly helping the Rams upset the Pittsburgh Steelers before the latter rallied with key fourth-quarter completions. John Hannah, one of the all-time great offensive linemen, concluded his Hall of Fame career after a heavy loss to the Bears in Super Bowl XX, a game in which the Patriots’ offense was stifled.
Dermontti Dawson, considered the greatest center in NFL history by some metrics, participated in one of the most unusual Super Bowls, Super Bowl XXX, where the Steelers overcame costly interceptions to ultimately lose. Champ Bailey, widely regarded as one of the best cornerbacks of his generation, experienced a one-and-done Super Bowl appearance with the Denver Broncos in an overwhelming loss to the Seattle Seahawks late in his career.
Randall McDaniel’s Vikings hoped to reach the Super Bowl in 1998 but were denied after a defeat in the NFC title game. Joe Thomas, who had a promising rookie season that marked his team‘s only winning record during his tenure, never reached the postseason, narrowly missing a playoff berth. Steve Largent’s Seahawks, despite a strong regular season sweep of the Raiders, fell in the 1983 AFC championship partly due to the addition of defensive stalwart Mike Haynes to the opposing team, who effectively contained Largent.
Bruce Matthews finally made it to a Super Bowl late in his career with the Tennessee Titans after enduring a long wait. The Titans pushed the St. Louis Rams to the brink in an intense contest but ultimately dropped the game. Terrell Owens, despite severe injuries, rallied for Super Bowl XXXIX and recorded an impressive 122 yards receiving, but turnovers doomed the Philadelphia Eagles in a narrow loss to the Patriots.
O.J. Simpson’s single playoff appearance ended swiftly against the dominant Steelers of the 1970s. Adrian Peterson’s outstanding performance in the 2009 NFC title game was not enough to overcome the New Orleans Saints, while a critical interception late in regulation and eventual overtime defeat sealed the Vikings’ fate. JJ Watt credited the 2012 Texans as his best team effort, but they fell to the Patriots in the divisional round despite a strong offense.
Several other greats such as Fran Tarkenton, Larry Fitzgerald, LaDainian Tomlinson, Tony Gonzalez, Junior Seau, Alan Page, Anthony Munoz, Bruce Smith, Randy Moss, Barry Sanders, and Dan Marino also belong to this distinguished list of players who never won a Super Bowl despite coming agonizingly close.
Super Bowl Near-Misses Highlight the Challenges Faced by Elite Players
A recurring theme for many featured players involves heartbreaking moments in championship games or playoffs that prevented them from securing the ultimate prize. For instance, Randy Moss and Tom Brady formed a formidable duo with the 2007 Patriots but were denied by a stunning late-game Giants comeback, including Eli Manning’s miraculous pass to David Tyree. Bruce Smith’s Bills reached four consecutive Super Bowls but were defeated each time, often in tightly contested matches including Super Bowl XXV, known as the closest in history.
These near-misses emphasize how even the greatest talents face daunting obstacles on the path to a championship ring, whether due to turnovers, injuries, stellar opposing defenses, or improbable plays by rivals. The continuous Lamar Jackson Super Bowl drought serves as a salient example today, as Baltimore’s challenges with turnovers in critical playoff moments have repeatedly hindered their progress.
What This Means for the Future of These NFL Stars
The absence of a Super Bowl title in the resumes of Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and others adds an intense layer of urgency and determination to their careers. For Jackson, the addition of star running back Derrick Henry and recent playoff successes signal hope, but turnovers and inconsistency must be addressed for Baltimore to advance further. Allen’s continued growth alongside the Bills’ competitive roster positions him as a potential future champion.
Meanwhile, the legacy of these players—who have earned multiple accolades and set records—remains shaped by this elusive achievement. Their careers highlight the difficulty of reaching the Super Bowl in a league marked by fierce competition and unpredictability. The NFL community and fans alike await the culmination of their efforts, with the hope that the Lamar Jackson Super Bowl drought and similar challenges for other top stars will eventually end.